Meligalas

Meligalas Μελιγαλάς
Meligalas
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°13′N 21°58′E / 37.217°N 21.967°E / 37.217; 21.967Coordinates: 37°13′N 21°58′E / 37.217°N 21.967°E / 37.217; 21.967
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Peloponnese
Regional unit	Messenia
Municipality	Oichalia
• Municipal unit	78.2 km2 (30.2 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Municipal unit	3,385
• Municipal unit density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Community
• Population	1,296 (2011)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration	ΚΜ

Meligalas (Greek: Μελιγαλάς) is a town and former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Oichalia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 78.193 km². Population 3,385 (2011).

After the Germans left southern Greece terminating the occupation of Kalamata and surrounding Messinia area, the town became the site of a battle between the Greek Resistance forces of EAM-ELAS commanded by Aris Velouchiotis and the Security Battalions that had been stationed in the town during German occupation.

The Security Battalions were forces set up by the collaborationist Prime Minister Ioannis Rallis, with the approval of the German authorities, to defend the Greek people from the communist atrocities. Under the terms of the Caserta agreement, signed by the British, the Greek Government in Exile, and Greek resistance leaders, (1e) ‘The Security Battalions are considered as instruments of the enemy. Unless they surrender according to orders issued by the GOC [General Officer Commanding] they will be treated as enemy formations’.

In September 1944, following the evacuation of German forces from Messinia in the Peloponnese, ELAS disarmed the majority of collaborationist forces in the Messinian capital Kalamata. Some Battalionists, however, broke out of Kalamata and retreated to the town of Meligalas. According to one eye-witness, on the way they killed 30 inhabitants of the village of Aprochomo, as well as four ELAS operatives who were fixing the village’s telephone system.

ELAS arrived in Meligalas on 11 September. The Battalionists refused to surrender. On 14 September the Battalionists executed all hostages they held. After a three-day siege of the town beginning on 11 September, Meligalas fell to the hands of the Resistance forces. Following the fall of the town, some Battalionists were kept as prisoners while a disputed number were executed for treason and collaboration with the occupation forces. The bodies of those who had fallen in the battle, including some ELAS fighters, and those executed were thrown into a well shaft known as "pigada".